Inorganic chemistry / by Edward Frankland and Francis R. Japp.

Date:
1884
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Inorganic chemistry / by Edward Frankland and Francis R. Japp. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

    129/854 (page 101)
    nitrous anhydride combines directly with oxygen to form nitric peroxide: N2O3 + 0 = 'N^O^ 14,000 cal. Nitrous Nitric anhydride. peroxide. On the other hand, hydrogen in combining with oxygen to form water yields— H2 + 0 = OH2 69,000 cal, Water. whereas, when these two elements unite to form hydroxyl, the effect is— ' H, + O2 = 'O'aH^ 47,000 cal, - Hydroxyl. giving a difference of 22,000 calories in favour of the lower oxide. When oxygen and hydrogen combine, water ought therefore to be formed, whilst hydroxyl ought to have a tendency to decompose into water and oxygen. Furthermore, the formation of hydroxyl, starting from water and oxygen, ought to be accompanied by an absorption of heat. This compound cannot therefore be formed without the interven- tion of some foreign energy—for instance that of a simultaneous chemical action. There are several compounds in the formation of which, start- ing from their elements, heat is absorbed. Such, for example, are the oxides of nitrogen, the oxides of chlorine, chloride of iiitrogcii, acetylene, cyanogen, &c.; and none of these can be produced by the mere interaction of their elements, acting by their intrinsic energy. Acetylene, for example, is formed by the direct union of carbon and hydrogen; but this combination does not take place under the influence of chemical affinity alone: it requires the aid of the electric arc. The oxides of nitrogen are all derived from nitric peroxide, which can be formed from its elements only under the influence of intense heat (electric discharge, simultaneous combus- tion of hydrogen). The oxides of chlorine are produced by the action of chlorine on the alkaline oxides ; but this is because their formation is accompanied by that of an alkaline chloride, the pro- duction of which is attended with liberation of much heat. Decomposition.—k body that has' been formed directly from its